Why Is It Necessary to Visit Your Orthodontist Regularly?

That first visit to your orthodontist for a consultation should never be your last. This is because receiving treatment requires multiple visits over a period of time, and you may still need to visit your orthodontic office again since changes in your teeth alignment can occur as you or your child gets older. While everyone’s situation is different, making sure that you attend those regular visits is worth it when you receive these benefits for your oral health and smile.

Stay On Top Of Your Treatment Plan

After you are given a plan for orthodontic treatment, you will be provided with a recommended schedule for your return visits. Making it to these appointments is important for getting the most out of your treatment because this is when your orthodontic team will check your progress and make any adjustments such as tightening your braces. It is important to note that even those with Invisalign will still need these checkups just to make sure that your teeth are shifting as predicted, but having clear aligners will reduce the number of visits you need to make compared with traditional metal braces.

Check Your Oral Hygiene With Braces

Oral health professionals know that trying to maneuver around all of those brackets and wires can be difficult. Children are especially susceptible to stains and cavities during this time since they are more likely to forget to brush their teeth or fail to floss properly. For this reason, you should view your orthodontist as a partner in your oral health routine, and they will carefully check inside your mouth to make sure that preventable damage to your teeth does not occur. They can also show your teenager how to properly brush and floss or clean their Invisalign retainer.

Get Acquainted

When children require orthodontic treatment, they can be a little nervous about having a stranger poke around in their mouth. They may also be afraid to voice concerns about their treatment or speak up if something feels uncomfortable. Since orthodontists know that establishing rapport with their patients provides the best outcome, they use these frequent visits to get to know your child. This way, your child will be honest with them if they chew on pencils or can’t help but eat sticky candies so that they can get the best treatment option to fit their needs. Your child will also start to view their appointments as a social opportunity where they can enjoy showing off their beautiful smile once their treatment is complete.

Keep Up The Motivation

While you usually won’t notice your braces, it does take work to get that beautiful smile. Going to your orthodontist allows you to see the progress that you are making, and feeling like the effort is worth it will keep you going. Kids can also have a little fun with their braces by having colored bands added at each visit that let them show off their personality.

Model Good Habits

Today, many parents are getting orthodontic treatment at the same time as their children. If your family is going through braces together, then it is important to avoid skipping your appointments. This is because your kids are always watching you to learn how to handle life’s challenges. Visiting your orthodontist regularly helps your child to see the importance of taking care of their oral health. In fact, we often find that families enjoy scheduling their visits together, especially if your child seems hesitant during their first several appointments. Making your treatment a team effort helps keep everyone revved up for creating a beautiful smile.

Notice Minor Issues Early

Orthodontic emergencies can be very painful, and the last thing most parents want to do is rush to the office on a weekend or wait for a Monday morning appointment. At regular exams, you can expect for the team to check for things such as a loose wire or bracket so that it can be repaired before it starts poking into your cheek. If damage to your child’s orthodontic appliances is noticed, this visit is also a great time for the orthodontist to reinforce good practices to comply with during their treatment such as not eating hard food.

Identify New Problems

Your mouth and teeth are constantly changing, and this is especially true for children who have teeth falling out and growing in while they are having treatment. Regular visits allow these changes to be identified so that any adjustments to your treatment plan can be made. For instance, your teen’s orthodontist may notice that they have wisdom teeth growing in that could affect their newly straightened teeth, or a sports injury could require another round of treatment.

Dr. Papandrea says one in a million he is a wonderful orthodontist very patient very kind explains everything in detail I would recommend him to any one of my family members. He did an amazing job with my son's braces the staff is also very helpful. He made the whole process very easy. Thank you dr. Papandrea is for everything you have done for my son and his confidence with his teeth. Sincerely, Stacy

The second I walked in for the first time, I knew I was in good hands. I was greeted by the friendly smile of the woman at the front desk where she then showed me how to check in whenever I come. My mom and I met with Dr. P and he examined me and decided what would work the best for me personally. He was very straightforward with everything and always had a sense of humor. After starting treatment they were very exact with their instructions and everybody politely answered every question my mom and I may have had. It was incredible to see what Dr. P’s office is capable of and everything that goes into orthodontics and how much pride they all take in their work. I specifically went to Dr. P because of his reputation with Invisalign and I know I was getting the best care available and my results reflect that perfectly. Not only is Dr. P amazing, but so is his entire staff. The woman in charge of financing was very helpful and my mom always said how nice she was. Dr. P's assistants are all so energetic and are always wondering what is going on in my life with high school and sports. Everybody always made me feel like I was at home and I always found myself laughing. The office itself is always decorated according to what is going on at the time whether it is around a holiday or the Warriors happen to blow a 3-1 lead or the Indians make it to the World Series and the music the office plays is always very enjoyable, nothing ever annoying. Overall, I can’t imagine myself having gone anywhere else and I can honestly say I tell all my friends to go to Dr. P as well.

Dr. Papandreas always took personal care of me throughtout my use of Invisalign. He was true to his word and his expertise gave me the smile I wanted without traditional braces. I highly recommend him.